Aurelia - The Reasoning

 So why the purchase of a 2002 build Alfa Romeo 147, 5 door hatch? 

Simple; I want something cheap with a bit of style and go that can be a project for myself and hopefully get into a small bit of motorsport activity. At 60, yes why not. Not being a motorhead over the decades, last year after purchasing a 2011 Renault Megane RS 250 in 2020, I joined the Renault Car Club of Queensland (RCCQ) which have some 'happy lap' events at both Queensland Raceway (Willowbank) and Lakeside. These consist of 30 minutes track time before the main stuff gets underway and is a max of 40 cars. All must be roadworthy (no helmets, roll cages etc) with strict rules re overtaking and a max speed. OMG how much fun, why the hell didn't I find out about this decades ago. I'm hooked. However as you would probably understand, there is no insurance, so if something happens, there's $20K down the drain and I don't want that. Hence the lookout for something cheap and fun which is where the Alfa came in.

 Took a little while but finally found 'Aurelia' in Melbourne. Tired looking, but registered, 5 speed manual, 2.0 litre Twin Spark engine and a not too bad 165,000 kms on the clock. Had my bother in law take a look and after a little bargaining she was mine for a mere $1200. I then decided rather than transport it up to Brisbane why not fly down and have a 2000 km road trip home in an unknown 19 year old car; what could possibly go wrong.

Covid19 of course was the first issue, so on arrival two days after Christmas, I had to find a testing place so I could get back into Queensland as the test had to be within 72 hours of re-entry. I picked up Aurelia from my sisters place ( still didn't catch up as they were all away at their holiday house with some gastro ailment, bugger) and then went searching for an hour before finally finding a testing site at Mernda that was open. This process took two hours sitting in a drive thru queue with the engine running (first test of the girl) and then at 1.30pm, it was fill her up and on our way. Lets just say my first impressions were a bit, what have I done, as the gear lever seemed to float every where, the brakes felt quite different and she appeared to have not been looked after for some time. Oh and the Brake Light Failure warning light came on frequently. However she ran, changed gears and didn't appear to make any funny noises so on our way; carefully. Water and oil in the boot, and a small assortment of tools I had bought with me would obviously ensure success.

Thought I would stop at Yass for the night as I had done on a previous trip, but on arrival at the Hotel I was advised by one of the staff that it may be best to keep moving as they were a hotbed of Covid over the last week. So off I continued and SWMBO organised a room in Goulburn ( a further 1 hours driving) in a brilliant 1950's motel with the blue and yellow bathroom. So 669kms and 8 hours on the road later, that bed felt like heaven. Just a couple of the obligatory snaps of Australian Icons on the way.

 

In the morning, a quick stop at Bunnings to get some cloths, a 5L container for water and cleaning spray ( too many sticky things in this car and a disgusting window), petrol fill up and on the road again.Got through Sydney via the M2, M7 and new NthConx which saved massive time and a clean run north. Aurelia just cruising nicely at 110 kmph withe a working aircon and no water top up required but did need some oil this morning. Unable to find anywhere for accommodation on the Coast this evening so going up to just south of Port Macquarie and then head inland to Armidale. The shop keeper at Kew said the Oxley Hwy was recently upgraded and except for a few twists at the start , a good run. Obviously his idea of 'the start' was different than mine; 90 km of twisting, uphill and steep descents, this certainly tested Aurelia but she came through beautifully. Don't think I've seen a stretch of road with more 35 kmph bend warning signs but it did amount to some spectacular views. Into Armidale right on 7pm after 11 hours and 803 kms. Off to the White Bull Hotel for a steak and beer and watch the brilliant innings of Ben McDermott for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL. About 9pm got the text to say that my Covid test was negative so all set to enter Qld tomorrow.

New use for cupholder so I can have Spotify, not even a USB in this vintage.

Sculpture in Goulburn (Forgot the Big Ram)

Faded and cobweb

The 'Big' Axe at Kew

Road side stop and picture op.

Was up and at Maccas for the hotcakes and coffee at 5.20, so on the road by 6 am. Was an uneventful drive and passed through the border stop at Wallangarra with no issues and as one of only two cars it was quick. Young constable on duty looked absolutely bored and in his own words "livin' the dream"; not ! Once over the border for some obscure reason I suddenly remembered I had left my laptop behind in the motel room in Armidale. Quick phone call and Rick had in the post to me as not returning two and half hours back to pick it up and negotiate another border crossing. Eventually arrived home after a couple of stops around midday for a total of 22.5 hours on the road and 1983 kms after leaving Melbourne almost 48 hours earlier. All in all, Aurelia handled the trip well and my faith in her was enhanced.

So why called Aurelia; cars must have a name and this is an Italian car so therefore a name of Latin origin (it reminds me of the gorgeous Aurelia in "Love Actually" and for those smart a#$, yes I know she is Portuguese but who cares, same continent)

the not so big ram at Guyra

the medicre dinosaur at Ballandean

Vincenzo's large apple at Glen Alpin

The very big shears at Warwick

So that's the end of the trip from Melbourne to Brisbane, but if you're interested stay with me on the restoration and preparation journey of Aurelia.